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Rick January 29th, 2009 4:45 pm ET

I consider my self an independant but it seems to me if the Democratic House had done what Obama wanted and kept the pork out,

You seriously need to read what is in that bill Rick. It is chock full of pork and nothing but pork. There are almost no immediate job and about 80% of it is not jobs just welfare systems. If the infrastructure part was 5 times it's size and all the rest were lowered I might agree with you and accept what is in it.

But you are dead wrong on this. It is full of garbage plain and simple. People need jobs not hand outs.

I don't want tax credits, condoms or hand outs. I want jobs. Since the Democrats do not seem to understand this and would rather have me with my hand out then a hand up then I support the Republicans this time in not being apart of this.

This bill is garbage.

I can see it now 2010, No Republicans in the Senate or in the House!
The thing that I have to say is YOU-ALL DID IT TO YOURSELVES! Such is life. you've bitten off your nose to spite your face and it will haunt you from now on. YOU ASKED FOR IT. Now I know why I switched and became a Democrat, because, they care about the people, the people that don't have as much money as you-all do and are not just thinking about what they can get for themselves unlike you-all. I can see many more Republicans moving over because of this NO vote. Toward the President of the USA you-all ought be ashamed of yourselves.

I am a Democrat and I am appalled at this spending plan. It is full of insanely stupid expenditures too numerous to mention. We should be spending our money to (1) build durable infrastructure like high speed rail, electrical grids, nuclear plants, and things that will serve as the foundation for future prosperity; (2) for grants and scholarships for 1 million Masters and PhD students in technology so we can take them out of the workplace (thus they will NOT be competing for jobs) and get them super-educated so we can compete in this world economy; and (3) as Venture Capital for entrepreneurs able to create new products and businesses that will boost our trade, tax-base and jobs. All this dumb spending is just worthless.

I HOPE THE DEMOCRATICS WILL NOT COMPROMISE WITH THE GOP. LET THEM PUNISH.

Okay,

Everyone blaming the economy on the republicans need to do the their homework. First of all, we live in a capitalist society, so the economy will go through its ups and downs. The government should have very little to do with it. Secondly, remember congress has been controlled by the democrats for the last couple of years so if you still want to take that angle you do need to blame the democrats also. If you want to blame Wall Street, remember again that most of them are large contributors to the democratic party, so maybe it is the democrats that are being selfish? Also, questioning Obama is something that senators and representatives should do, they should not just shut up.

If we add the first $700 billion Stimulus and the second $819 billion Stimulus and divide by the number of Americans over 18 we could each have $7000. I think I could stimulate an economy with 7 grand to spend my own way. Probably would be more if you only sent it to people who actually pay taxes.
Do we really want any of the people in Congress, Republican or Democrat, that voted for either bill?

what the republicans are doing is finally realizing that they had strayed from the core values that we republicans want...... obama thought that if he made it big enough then they would just rubber stamp it. but when the country needs stimulous and not spending on whatever these idiots want but when republicans have a scenario of doubling the amount of jobs in current bill and only costing half the price makes more sense than blowing the last chance we have of getting out of this...... let's be bipartisan and tell pelozi to shut her mouth and listen and work together... they don't want the input of republicans so now this bill will all be on the democrats and when it fails there will be no where to hide for all of you... you get the blame all on there own.

The split in the Republican party is McCain and McConnell want to be yes men to the Dems, as usual, and follow along blindly. The time has come for someone to step up and take the leadership roll or to split completely and form a new party that will represent the taxpayers of America.
All that is needed is a little truth and honesty. I don't belive that there are very many congressmen in Washington that could fit that criteria,but the time is now for someone tp step up.

I think we need to have both Republicans and Democrats one very good reason. They keep each other in check. We just need to make sure that they tackle the most important differences (and the ones they can actually resolve). Kudos to the democrats for taking out the contraceptives part. I am all for family planning, and government support for it, but it does not belong in an economic stimulus bill. it does not create jobs. Stick it in another bill. It just seems that so many special interest groups have their hands in this bill to make it work. Weed out the useless parts, and lets get moving!

One word.....FILLABUSTER

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." We've already learned the hard way through 8 years trying the Republicans' version of tax cuts and the free market will take care of everything. So how did that work out for you?

something needs to be done and the republicians are still holding on the same old tatics for yester year. If those old grumpy men don't wake up we will contiune to sink and it's going to be all their fault. Forget them president do your thang without trying to apease them they are stuck in their ways and that's not going to change, which is what you are all about, change!!!

Isn't someone going to have to give the republicans the definition of the word "compromise" first? It seems as though they may have forgotten or never comprehended the meaning of the word.

Give the money to the taxpayers and quit giving it to the companies that are taking advantage of the taxpayers!

I consider my self an independant but it seems to me if the Democratic House had done what Obama wanted and kept the pork out, the Republicans would be much more willing to go along with the plan. I have criticized the Republicans a lot in the past but this time I think they have a valid point. 150 million for honey bee insurance? Millions more for ATV trails? How in the world would anyone in their right mind not think this is just the Democrats paying back their political groups? They may all be good programs, but they should go into the appropriations bill, not the stimulus plan. I think that is the Republicans biggest gripe. I feel Obama is reaching out but the Democratic congress is acting more like one of your reader's statements above where he stated they won so they get what they want. They need to remember that 46% of the country voted against their party and if they continue spending like it appears, I'm afraid a big change will hit them come 2010.

Why does the demcrats care about whether or not the GOP supports this bill or not????

ANSWER: they don't want to be the only ones to blame when this
blows up in their faces

Republican economic policy got us into this mess, and there are still people out there supporting those policies, amazing.
Under Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43 spending outpaced revenue.
Under Johnson, Carter, and Clinton revenue outpaced spending.
When taxes are too high they do indeed have a negative effect on the economy, when taxes are too low they also have a negative effect on the economy.
Given the properous economy under Clinton, he hit the nail on the head with his tax rates.
Just remember that Republicans talk about fiscal reponsibility when they're out of power but, when they have the power they spend like drunken sailors.

no tax cut for the wealthy. Look at wall street bonuses and then tax cut on top of that.. Tax cut won't help me, why should I support tax cut. Obama, please remember your promise.

Something have to be done and at this point, who cares how the the Republican thinks. Obama was elected President and he is trying to do his job. Get over your election lost and help America get back on it's' feet. The people send you to the Senate to work not play games. Thank God this President is the opposite of what the Republican's stand for.

It makes me laugh that suddenly the Republicans are so interested in the budget, Excuse me but which party has been in power for the past 8 years who left trillions in deficit? Now suddenly when the Democrats are trying to do something to help the economy, Republicans suddenly are interested monies spent.

I think the Republicans ought to sit back and keep quit and let Obama try and work this problem out. He is brilliant and has alot of good ideas and he needs our cooperation.

They should also take Limbaugh, Hannity and Ann Coulter off the air because they are 3 toxic hatemongers whose only adgenda is promoting their own books ands creating a need for themsleves. They have no intinsic value in our country except working people up and we need them like we need a headache.

Puh-leeze They want no such thing as a "compromise".
They will all vote against it b/c it is politically not in their interests for the democratic President and the country at large to succeed.

Sad but true

Again WE WON we set the agenda.
If Americans wanted the same old Republican policies they would have voted for More the Same – John McCain.

They didnt they voted for a new direction, a new way away from the same old supply side, trickle down non sense the RW has been peddling since the 80's

If Republicans want to fight, this put them in front of the American people and let them filibuster this until they are blue in the face.

Let them defend why they are delaying sending aid to the citizens in this country in dire need

Let them defend sending 100 of billions overseas to Iraq yet they can spend billions here at home

Stop it! you had your eights years and eight trillon dollars spent, let the games begin with the new administration, and if they screw up we just vote them out. So right now we are really getting fed up with the GoP. Please take a trip do something to stimulate yourselves. Go visit Sarah Palin in Alaska, oh! wait, she's dining with the President, see she's even paling with terrorist...wow...live and learn.

I agree with Sen. Kay Bailey, but we need new ideas. Republicans haven't offered any yet. They are stuck in the past with how things use to get done. Wake up GOP, it's a new day.

YEP!!

The republicans don't want a compromise, they want a it their way or no way. Obama as the support of the American people with or without the support of the rethugs!

If republicans will not vote for the new stimulus package proposed by President Obama because of it being against their basic principles, then why did the republicans, under the Bush administration, approve the package last fall? If it is good for them they approve it, if not, then they won't. Hypocrites!

This is so funny Rush pill popping Limbaugh the leader of the GOP. Thats the ticket Limbaugh / Palin the 2 comedians.

Corporate greed is preventing consumers from having any confidence, why should I spend my hard earned money for some GREEDY company to mismanage it and cry for more while raising my rates. When will consumers get a price reduction a few breaks atleast? You scratch my back.....you know the rest.

Just who the hell does those Republicans think they are? It's their party that got us into this mess in the first place and NOW they want a say in how to fix it?

"do it right" = delay it until we know whether we have enough conformity to filibuster

Yeah, well I want to sing like Patti LaBelle too, but we don't always get what we want, especially when we get rejected by the voters.

I seriously hope the republicans put some more meat in this stimulus bill. The cause of this meltdown was the housing market and until this is addressed, our economy will not improve. As long as the housing market is inundated with foreclosures (and many analysts say there will be even more of them this year), we are at a standstill. When folks purchase a home, it provides millions of jobs. Those jobs include not only the builders, plumber, electricians, etc., but the folks that make the items that go into a home such as carpet, fixtures, and even small things like screws and nails.

President Obama's plan is a good one, but still includes too many things that truly won't help the economy. If this bill is supposed to be an economic stimulus there should on be expenditures in it that will help the economy and only the economy.

Repuplicans will not work with President Obama, they would rather see him fail (just like Rush Limbaugh) and that means the rest of us all go bankrupt or lose our jobs or lose our homes, and lose our 401k's, they don't care........as long as they are sitting pretty comfy .......but if this stimulus works you can bet they will be their wanting to take credit for it..........if they aren't going to work with this administration than come 2010 we will elect more demorcrats to office and remove these lousy Republicans that can't work together with is administration and put in people that can..........

YES REPUBLICANS!!!!! FINALLY SOMEONE STANDS UP AGAINST THIS CRAPPY BAILOUT. Guys, the stimulus plan just makes the economy worse. People use the money they get to pay off things they've already paid for, which means that the economy doesn't get stimulated at all. The one bush gave out didn't help at all. Did the economy get better or worse since those checks were given out almost a year ago????? I think history speaks for itself. No one wants bailouts or stimulus plans. This is just stupid.

I seriously wonder what is the Republican game plan on fixing this economy that they created. Mr Obama is doing his best to help out the American people. This time to put pride aside and graps all that we can do to help out the American People. Way to go President Barrak Obama

What a joke, Democrats need to tell the republicans to shut up and sit down. Better yet go home they have nothing to contribute.

The republicans not catering to Obama is not the problem and is not bipartisan politics. It is simply the right thing to do. The stimulus plan needs a lot of work and maybe should not even be done at all and I firmly support their not voting for the bill.

Obama just wants to do something but just doing anything without carefully looking at the long term effects will only worsen the recession and prolong it.

Fred's comments are right on and he has it right and history tells us this will not work, especially when it looks more like a spending bill than a stimulus bill. The more government messes with the economy, the more the economy gets messed up! Do we really need to keep repeating our mistakes?

I don't give a rat's behind what Rush, Fred or the rest of these ignorant Neo-Cons do. I didn't use the word think because they don't.

This should be a lesson to our young people, leave the drugs alone. Just look at Limbaugh a minds a terrible thing to waste. Even Jim Jones had a following and look where they ended up. The republicans distractions continue. I think the recovery package is to small but someone has to lead the charge. All these haters have one idea tax breaks for business = breaks for the wealthy.

Big business is the cause of my lack of confidence because nothing is being done to address the true problem corporate and individual GREED!!!!! Nothing will change until greed is somehow reigned in.

Republicans want tax cuts, so agree to them – just limit them to people making under $250K a year and see how many still want tax cuts!

The answer is simple – tax corps 80% – allow up to a 40% reduction for companies buying between 60-100% of their inputs from US based companies & another up to 40% reduction for companies employing between 60-100% of their workers from the US. A company solely US based as far as expenditures to suppliers and employees pays zero tax!!!

How bout it Repubs – oh no then Cheney's Dubai-based Halburton would have to pay close to 80% in taxes.

Reward companies who do business with US companies and US workers and make the rest pay. It is simpiler than tariffs, although returning to a tariff system is also a good plan.

montag24 (January 29th, 2009 4:01 pm E): "Absolutely no compromises with the Republicans. We won, remember?"

That's right, and when this stimulus fails miserably, liberals who aren't bigoted anti-Republicans like yourself are going to remember whose fault this is in the voting booth come 2010.

Obama wants everyone to look at him like he is 100% right in everything and do everything his way – "just because he won". That is for sure the wrong attitude and will get him nowhere. The GOP has every right to not agree if they feel it is the wrong thing to do. I applaud them for standing up for what they believe in. I don't what makes you think Obama's plan is going to work in the first place. Its same blindness that got him elected. You people just do not think for yourselves. The GOP does want to get us deeper in debt and still be in trouble, and they do NOT want to be government owned. Lots and lots of people feel the same way. Get used to it. We all have rights in this Country.

President Obama has shown that he is more than willing to cross the aisle. I hope he gives the task of attempting to make nice to one of his staff members, and moves on to more important things, like issues that involve healing our country. Republicans are only concerned about their base and their own necks. They are determined to undermine his presidency, and need to be dealt with sooner not later in his administration.

Just two unprintable words for republicans,bleep,bleep.

To Fred: you are stating that the New Deal failed based on one sides interpretation. What it did was spread out the pain of the recession so it was as traumatic as it would have been. Your view of history is not shared by many historians and economists. So why not stick to the facts.

Get the pork out of this bill! That's the only way the Republicans will support it.

The Republicans submitted to the Democrats requests for the bank bailout, and all that got us was bad banks getting their balance sheets out of the red while credit remained frozen. This bill is nowhere near an economic stimulus, and when it fails and wastes TRILLIONS MORE in taxpayer dollars the blood with be on the Democrats' hands and the 2010 elections are gonna seem awfully close.

Why compromise? They just want to posture for re-election. Republicans don't care about people.

After President Obama reached out to them they unanimously voted NO. They don't want bi-partisan.

INFRASTRUCTURE! INFRASTRUCTURE!

The GOP just doesn't get it - your party lost! And, guess what, you lost because you refused to care about the people - you let Bush spend, spend, spend for the rich, take away legal rights (habeus corpus), and get us into a war by lying so that his and Cheney's cronies (Haliburton & Blackwater) could raid the money tree in Iraq, and now all of a sudden you're worried about the money being spent - GIVE US A BREAK – WE ARE NOT IDIOTS LIKE BUSH!

These republicans are so damm selfish,2 families died this week because of hard times,they just couldnot face the pressure,in these f–k head republicans dont care,our country is an big trouble,we need our politicans to work together not against each other,i have voted republican all my life so have all of my family,but not anymore because the gop dont care about working people in i am sick of it

All I am gonna say is $200 million for contraception, $335 million in funding for education on sexually transmitted diseases and $650 million for digital TV coupons ect ect ect..... WILL NOT CREATE JOBS!!!!!! HOW IN GODS NAME WILL THAT GARBAGE HELP THE ECONOMY... PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF AMERICA'S FUTURE WRITE TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND TELL THEN TO SPEND ON STUFF THAT IS ABSOLUTLY NEEDED NOT THIS TRASH!!!!!

Tax cuts do not work to stimulate the economy long term as every one knows...there is no control over how they will be spent and with the reported 18 billion dollars of bonuses for bailedd out banks businesses will not necessarily create jobs but will use the money to line their own pockets or to ship money overseas.

The GOP had their chance to get it right during the past administration. It's now the Democrats and Obama that are leading this Economy.

The GOP got us into this mess, so its time for the Democrats to try and get us out!

I don't applaud CNN very often, but they have put together a really good bipartisan story entitled "How a Perfect Storm led to the Financial crises". Take the time to read it. It doesn't point the finger of blame at any one or any party, just lays out the facts as they happened. Hats off to CNN

He won. We wwon. I am glad there is another election in 2010.....the GOP will soon be extinct.

I have CNN on for the greater part of everyday. WHY do the reporters, anchors, etc. periodically refer to Barack Obama as MR. Obama and not PRESIDENT Obama? It's unnerving and degrades the quality and respectability of CNN.

All the liberals are all for it. Get in line to get your handouts. But, you will get nothing. Because it is all pork ladden.

Montag24: It is attitudes like yours that will ruin this country. The republicans and democrates and independece are part of our goverment. They can either find a way to work together or get out office.

I don't care if your party won or not. We are all american's. Get with the program or move to another country.

Republicans: DO NOT VOTE ON THIS BILL EVER. YOU KNOW IT IS PORK AND SO DO WE. STICK TO YOUR GUNS ON THIS ONE. LET THE DEMOCRATES TAKE THE FALL WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK. Obama has already told you that he will not compromise on the cut cuts. enough said. don't let yourself get pressured by his new media blitz that he will be conducting on radio and TV.

Dumb ignorance from some posters here.

The point of compromise is to create a situation where everyone can generally agree.

For those not smart enough to understand, let me put it this way.

If one group says, can we change something, and the other says no way we'll never change we are in charge.

Guess what? That's not compromise.

montag... your sense of democracy is nothing short of a thin line... you don't have any.

You have a vary narrow minded and seflish/retribution attitude.

REWRITE THE STIMULUS PACKAGE AND GIVE EVERY LEGAL U.S. TAXPAYER $5000-$10000 REBATE CHECKS

Chuck, you say the stimulus is wrong. Did you say George Bush "bailout" was wrong? No you did not, you repugs need to take a back sit and shut up for a change. This administration will not let you have your way this next four years.
Also, show some manners and remember he is President Obama to us all.

My family and I have not felt this recession, but I feel for those that have and I will support anything that will help my fellow Americans.

Since I am against any stimulus plan until at least a month of deep and intense thought and scrutiny, my comment probably won't appear.The only way the government can create long lasting jobs is to open up government run institutions like mental health hospitals, childrens homes ,free clinics for those without insurance and pay all the salaries.

what part of the government spending money they don't have don't you get.??..............the best you can hope for is inflation and high interest rates...anyone remember Carter and "stagflation"??what is wrong with you people.............??...

You know what, as a Republican, I agree: Absolutely no compromises with Republicans. If the Democrats want to run this country the rest of the way into the ground, we should just let them. We should just vote 'present' on any bills they run through the house and in three years when our economy looks reminiscent of some thrid-world toilet, everyone will know that it's thanks to the Democraps!

"Compromise" = GOP parlance for "make it exactly the way we want it or we'll vote against it."

What compromise... if they were so ready to fix the economy why wasn;t it done on their watch.... it seems as they are apart of the problem, complaining about the solution with no alternatives.. CUTTING TAXES ON THE WEALTHY IS NOT A SOLUTION, MAINLY BECAUSE THEYAREA DYING BREED.............

Sure would have preferred to hear what John Cornyn would have to say about it, since Ms Hutchison isn't overly concerned since she's running for governor and could care lessand Senator Cornyn seems to have his stuff together and really care about US.

I want to know what is Limbaugh brilliant answer to the world encomony. All I have heard is negative comments. What is your proof perfect solution? Because world ecomoncy is an repeat of 1929 depression. Why are Americans lossing jobs?

montag24 – That's the spirit–way to support your president in reaching across the aisle.

Point well made Fred.
If only we could all just get along and do the people's business without blaming the other person and not wanting credit for everything, life would be good again. Lets follow Fords example and not ask for money, but rather wait this out, but meanwhile look at the problem, study the problem and how it came about, accept responsibility for what happened and then put together a plan that eveyone can sign off on.

Fred, you historically comparison, while insightful is not 100% accurate; and you fail to add various sources. I guess you also believe Auto-Union workers are making like $75 per hour per worker too.

What ever happend to curiousity in finding the truth and supporting that truth with facts?

Time for Senate Republicans to put on their "big boy" pants and do the right thing by supporting this bill. We'll be watching to see if the put country first, or party first.

Chuck in TN – I agree, but this will never happen until we have term limits; otherwise, being re-elected is the priority, not the nation's best interests. The people who live on the pork, i.e. any who takes a check from the U.S. government for any reason, will vote out the first politician they can hold responsible for that check stopping or being reduced. After all, the are "entitled" to it.

PUT IDEOLOGY ASIDE AND GET TO WORK ALREADY!!!!

As Wil Rogers said, 'even if you are on the right track you'll get hit by the train if you just sit there.'

The more you stall the bigger the consequences for the next election cycle– VOTERS WILL REMEMBER WHO PLAYED PARTISAN POLITICS WHILE THEY LOST THEIR JOBS AND HOMES!!!

The Senate should put the infrastructure spending back in that they had to take out for the republican increased tax cuts that not one of them voted for. They simply lied to the President! He gave them what they wanted and they gave him nothing. Replace their tax cuts which don't work and replace them with more infrastructure spending. Period. The country doesn't need their obstructionist and old political tactics, and they'll be gone in 2010 with the rest of their kind.

Absolutely no compromises with the Republicans. We won, remember?

Obama is a very popular President. I would love to see him go on national TV, in primetime, and tell the American people this

- Our country has been living high on the hog for many years
- We have spent more money than we make
- We have bought homes we can't afford
- We have used credit cards to spend more than we make

Now, it is time to make a change, America. That change will begin with my administration. I am proposing that we find a way to balance the federal budget NOW. I propose that our government NOT borrow more money and burden our children with that debt. I propose that ALL of us, beginning with the federal government ACT OUR WAGE (thank you Dave Ramsey).

This stimulus plan is wrong! I don't like the Republican behavior. Not because they are being obstructionists, but becasue they are also stating that some stimulus plan is needed. What they all need to do is get behind Pres Obama, IF OBAMA IS A REAL LEADER WHO WILL TELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SOMETHING THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR – and that is, suck it up America. To paraphrase Reagan, big government is not the solution to problems, big government IS the problem. Start living within your means TODAY.

Shame on the house republicans for not suporting the stimulus bill even after Obama reaching out to them. So much for their bipartisan atitude. Let the games begin now

The GOP has turned into the Grand Obstructionist Party and they will continue to bat things around, whining and crying, until it's too late to do anything. They'd rather see this whole country in ashes than to help a Democrat fix the problems.

THIS IS GUYS IS AN IDIOT, rUSH WILL DO ANYITHING TO KEEP HIS NAME ON THE MINDS OF SMALL MINDED PEOPLE!

Does anyone feel as though history is repeating itself? Didn't our nation go through this about 80 years ago after the 1929 stock market crash?

Shortly after the 1929 crash, the Hoover administration worked on a stimulus package that invested in infrastructure to help get America back on its feet. It didn't help the economy then, and FDR railed on the Hoover administration for the failed policy, ultimately winning the presidency. Then the new Roosevelt administration expanded the stimulus plan of the previous administration and repackaged it as the New Deal. According to historians, this didn't help either, and both attempts to stimulate the economy back into prosperity only served to worsen the economic impact, causing the depression to last longer than it should have.

So, with that being said, are we getting ready to go down the same road and make the same mistakes?